Jack Colback is waiting to see if he has made the cut for Steve Bruce's final 25-man Premier League squad.
The Toon boss knows he has to wield the axe this week with Colback, Achraf Lazaar, Jamie Sterry and Henri Saivet some of the players that could either be sold or loaned out before deadline day.
Colback's preferred option is to remain on Tyneside and battle for his place after spending the last two years frozen out by Rafa Benitez.
The midfielder was on loan at Nottingham Forest during both seasons, but said: "If I can impress the new manager, then great, if not I will see what's out there.
"I give 100% for the shirt and will continue to do that."
Colback has enjoyed working with Bruce again after first playing under him at Sunderland.
Offering some insight into life under the former Man United captain, Colback said: "Steve Bruce has had us working very hard.
"I knew that from his time at Sunderland.
"That is the type of guy he is.
"He wants the team to be fit and fitness levels have been increased since he came in.
"The lads are buying into it and we will see where it takes us."
The midfielder didn't play in Newcastle's last two friendly games against Hibernian and St Etienne, but showed his versatility in pre-season when fielded on the left-hand side of defence.
Colback said: "I played left wing-back and it's a role I have done it before.
"I can do an all right job there but it's not something I am necessarily looking for.
"Sometimes I have to do a job for the team.
"We have a few players who are versatile.
"In pre-season it is all just about getting minutes into the player's legs or seeing the young lads come on and do well.
"That is what pre-season is all about."
Colback and United have been back from China for over a fortnight now but the midfielder admitted he enjoyed his time there.
He said: "The conditions were tough in China.
"We played well against West Ham over there and created some good chances.
"It was a nice bounce back from the Wolves game."
Speaking about trimming the squad down, Bruce said: "I've got to disappoint some players which is the awful side of the job.
"All of them to a tee have really had a go but I can only pick 22."
